A domestic story told in numerous original and endearing voices. The story opens with Wesley, a tenth grader, and involves his two sets of parents (the mom and her second husband, a very thoughtful doctor; and the father who has become a major gay lawyer/activist and his fabulous "significant other" who owns a restaurant).

Wesley is a fabulous kid, whose equally fabulous best friend Theo has just won a big school election and simultaneously surprises everyone in his life by announcing that he is gay. No one is more surprised than Wesley, who actually lives temporarily with his gay father and partner, so that he can get to know his rather elusive dad. When a dramatic and unexpected trauma befalls the boys in school, all the parents converge noisily in love and well-meaning support. But through it all, each character ultimately is made to face certain challenges and assumptions within his/her own life, and the playing out of their respective life priorities and decisions is what makes this novel so endearing and so special.

First Sentence: “A lot can happen in a day, sometimes.”

Review:
In my recent reads, I’ve noticed a trend: there seem to be a lot more books now that take place on an accelerated time line. The whole book covering less than a week of time, where I feel like I remember reading a lot more books that took a lot more time. These Things Happens spans only a couple of days, but really packs a wallop nonetheless. Kramer focuses on the power of family, and embraces the larger definition of what a family can be.

These Things Happen reminds me a bit of the show Modern Family, not so much in tone but in the idea of the ‘modern family,’ full of divorces, remarriages, straight men discovering their gay selves. Wesley’s parents divorced ten years before, but, now, his mother sent him to live with his father, Kenny, feeling that in the transition to manhood Wesley should get to know his father. Kenny, a talented lawyer, works as an activist for the gay community and lives in a tiny apartment with his partner George, restaurateur and ex-actor.

The catalyst for the event’s of These Things Happen starts with Wesley’s best friend, Theo, who, upon winning the student election, concludes his victory speech by announcing to the student body that he is gay. Theo’s pronouncement doesn’t have an affect on their friendship, but does change Wesley’s relationship with his family, in two different ways, one which I can discuss and one which I can’t, because it would spoiler things for you.

Theo asks Wesley to speak with Kenny and George, to find out how they first knew they were gay and whether they think that being gay is a choice. Wesley promises to do so, good friend that he is. He never really talked with them about that before, and his sudden interest causes chaos in the family, curiosity about Wesley’s interest and introspection on the part of George on how to answer those questions.

My favorite part of this novel, really, is the relationship between George and Wesley. Though George and Wesley are not related, not legally connected in any way, they have a closer relationship than Wesley does with his father, mother or step-father. George might be expected to have the least reason to help Wesley, but he’s the one who can always make time and listen. I found this to be such a powerful theme, because I personally never did think that a blood relation indicated any sort of special bond with someone. Families are made, not so much by blood, but by time and caring. He doesn’t need to be legally or biologically tied to George for them to have a powerful connection.

Kramer tells this story using multiple perspectives, though the last chapter is in third person, which seems a somewhat odd decision. Each voice has its own cadence and feels unique, the most important factor in using multiple perspectives effectively. Kramer did best, I think with Wesley, who seems the main character of the piece. More than anything, These Things Happen is a coming of age story, and might appeal to both adults and teenagers.

In These Things Happen, Kramer tackles the complicated field of modern familial relationships and weaves a touching story, set in the busy backdrop of New York City. His tale feels utterly authentic and true.

Favorite Quote:

“‘I just hope you feel about your life how I feel about mine. Do you understand that?’
Wesley nods; he does, and he feels understanding, sweet and prickly, flow through him. ‘I do,’ he says. ‘You cherish it.'”

This isn’t as quirky funny as Modern Family, but it had the GLBT issues and the complicated family structure, including the father who’s not good at showing his affection, and a mother who’s a bit too controlling.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how my MIL is more of a mom to me than my mom ever was! At this point I don’t need mothering, per se, but she’s an older woman with whom I can talk and laugh with, ask her questions about parenting, and generally have her be a sounding board. Basically, it’s how I imagine a great mother/daughter relationship is.

So very awesome. Took me a few episodes to get into it, but I love it now.

Oh, that’s lovely. I’ve always thought the stigma about the in-laws was a bit silly, because, if anything, it would make sense to like your in-laws more than your parents, since you should know what you’re getting into with them. With your parents, you have no say at all.